High surf, high temperatures, high times over Labor Day weekend

Lured by massive waves, Southern Californians celebrated Labor Day weekend a little early on Thursday, flocking to area beaches to defy warnings and brave the high surf.

The National Weather Service warned of dangerous conditions -- 11-foot rogue waves and strong currents -- at southwest-facing beaches throughout Southern California, lasting through this evening.

That didn't deter surfers from hitting the waves all day Thursday.

"When the waves get bigger, everybody comes out," said Tuffer Marsolek, 28, a Los Angeles County beach lifeguard of five years. "It seems like nobody works or goes to school. It's like people neglect responsibilities when the waves are like this."

Among them was Mario Milos, 36, of San Pedro. He rushed to the Malibu coast a little after sunrise Thursday because he wanted to ride the high tides. The longshoreman with 24 years of surfing experience estimated his best wave to have reached about 10 feet.

"These are the best waves of the whole summer so far," Milos said. "They can get a little scary, but otherwise, it's really no big thing for me."

Michael Spiez, 20, of Newport Beach, almost regretted having to drive to Las Vegas this weekend for a birthday party, because it meant he'd miss the killer waves.

Still, he got in some last-minute surfing in Malibu on Thursday.

"The gas is always getting more expensive, but I'm more bummed about missing the waves this weekend," said Spiez, a real estate development major at USC who has surfed since age 8.

The NWS said a swell that originated off the coast of New Zealand is responsible for the larger intervals in between the tall waves, causing strong rip currents.

"These are certainly sweet for serious surfers, but they are dangerous for amped-up rookies. They will generate a lot of rip current and dangerous near-shore current," said Bill Patzert, research oceanographer of Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Ca ada Flintridge.

"It's fun to go watch the waves, but they can be extremely dangerous. I would definitely discourage surfers that are not highly experienced to venture out. Bring your iPhone and take some pictures instead."

Those tough waves apparently took the life of a 24-year-old swimmer who went missing off the Orange County coastline Wednesday night. U.S. Coast Guard officials called off the active search Thursday afternoon, acknowledging the likelihood that Jowayne Binford of Long Beach drowned in the surf. Seal Beach lifeguards were expected to continue searching for him.

Binford was one of four young men who entered the water at Surfside Beach on Wednesday evening in spite of a high surf advisory.

"After experiencing a strong rip current, the young men attempted to exit the water," said a Seal Beach Police Department statement, adding only three of them made it.

Despite the advisory, lifeguards at Surfrider Beach near Malibu expect big crowds over the holiday. The Los Angeles County coast can expect temperature highs from the 70s at the beaches to the mid-80s to lower 90s inland, with west winds coming in around the afternoon.

High surfs aren't the only hazard facing Southern Californians this holiday weekend. Rising gas prices may put a damper on some plans.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in L.A. County rose again Thursday for the 14th consecutive day, increasing 2.2 cents to $3.897, the highest price since June 25.

The increases are a result of potential shortages caused by the upcoming maintenance period for West Coast refineries and Hurricane Irene, according to the American Automobile Association.

"With the slight gas increase, there are a lot of people switching from longer vacations or going farther away and (they) are now choosing a shorter getaway this year," said Marie Montgomery, spokeswoman for the Automobile Club of Southern California.

"At the end of the day, the cheapest way to travel is almost always by car. For a three-day getaway that's going to be close, it's going to be cheaper to drive."

Alex Lamitie, 23, has plans to drive out to Orange County this weekend to visit family and friends. She spent about $45 to fill up her Scion at $3.77 a gallon at an Arco in Woodland Hills.